An estimated 92% of us experience earworms. Despite the annoying times we can’t get a chorus or a hook of an overplayed pop song out of our heads, getting a really good earworm stuck can be one of the best things, ever. We here at Nerdist are dead set on bringing you those types of songs—even if only for the weekend. So shove this into your grey matter!
Holy hell! We’re back! Well, I’m back. Actually, scratch that. I never left. We did, however, take a break from Weekend Earworms over the holidays and through a confluence of events that basically distill down to “Blake’s a dummy”–I had honestly forgotten to start it back up. So, apologies to anyone who looked out for this column every week and whatever the opposite of apologies are to those who were happy to see it go. I imagine I would have only forced more silly holiday music down your ear canals so… auditory bullet dodged.
I figured I’d ease back into things with some relatively “chill tune….age” as Pauly Shores from the ’90s would say. This week’s group, Snakehips, came to my attention via the whole “Google, what song is this?” function on my phone. I wish I could remember the circumstances of the night this happened because my phone also identified El Debarge’s “Rhythm of the Night” and Deniece Williams’ “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” within the span of a few hours. While I try and retrace my steps for that strange evening and the interesting mix of music I just needed to know, let’s enjoy some Snakehips. [Note to self: Do an El Debarge Weekend Earworms very soon] — [Note from self: You already sort of did, you friggin’ weirdo]
“Forever (Pt. II)” ft. Kaleem Taylor
The British duo that is Snakehips produce, in my opinion, some of the most catchy songs I’ve heard in quite some time. Their mix of driving beats, electronic samples, and R&B results in some seriously danceable music. [Note: dancing alone in your apartment while you do the dishes counts] This song, featuring the vocals of Kaleem Taylor, is made even more mesmerizing in its video by Japanese dance duo (and real life couple) AyaBambi lending their talents to it. Snakehips seem to have perfected the art of musical team-ups with visiting vocalists and nowhere is that more apparent than in their their latest track….
“Don’t Leave”
This Snakehips & MØ collaboration was released earlier this year and is one of the most heartrendingly earnest songs I’ve heard in a while. Coupled with the video showing various moments of a rocky relationship, it’s an honest look at something we’ve likely (to some degree) all gone through before. Good, bad, or indifferent–chances are we’ve all been on at least one end of the starkly honest line “I may not ever get my shit together/But ain’t nobody gonna love you better.” As it has gotten almost four million views in less than a month and a handful of remixes already, I have no doubt that “Don’t Leave” will make its mark on the world and more than a few Spotify break-up playlists. But let’s not end on such a downer.
“All My Friends” ft. Tinashe, Chance The Rapper
If you listened to the two previous tracks and couldn’t place Snakehips, this should be the song that nails it for you, as it’s their most popular to date. As a Chicago resident and a fan of hip hop, I’m pretty much contractually obligated to love anything Chance the Rapper has a hand in so this song is pretty much right up my alley. Ironically, it’s a song that rails against wasted nights of weekend excess but would seem right at home being playing at most any club due to its perfect balance of Snakehips’ beats, R&B vocals by Tinashe, and Chance’s distinctive flow.
Man oh man it feels good to be back sharing music with whomever is kind enough to read this column. What have you been listening to? Let me know in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter with what’s been stuck in your head.
Image: Snakehips
Blake Rodgers writes for Nerdist from Chicago, IL where he lives happily with his Guinness World Record for High Fives. You can be his pal by following him on Twitter (@TheBlakeRodgers)
